Hand tool for applying and removing nuts

ABSTRACT

TERMINATING IN RELATIVELY SHARP EDGE ADAPTED TO ENGAGE AND LIFT THE TAB OF THE LOCKING ELEMENT UPON ANGULAR MOVEMENT OF THE TOOL.   A HAND TOOL FOR USE IN CONFINED SPACES TO APPLY AND REMOVE NUTS WHICH ARE LOCKED ON A MATING THREADED MEMBER BY A LOCKING ELEMENT HAVING A BENDABLE LOCKING PROJECTION THEREON, THE TOOL INCLUDING AN ELONGATE ACTUATING MEMBER HAVING WRENCH MEANS ON ONE END PORTION THEREOF AND ANGULARLY DISPOSED ABUTMENT SURFACES ON THE OPPOSITE END THEREOF, AND A LEVER MEMBER HAVING ONE END PORTION PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO AN INTERMEDIATE PORTION OF THE ACTUATING MEMBER, THE OTHER END PORTION OF THE LEVER MEMBER HAVING AN ANGULARLY EXTENDING FLANGE

Nov. 30, 1971 R, D HALL 3,623,172

HAND TOOL FOR APPLYING AND REMOVING NUTS Filed Jan. 22, 1970 2 Sheets-Shoot 1 ATTORNEYS NOV. 30, 1971 R, D, HALL 3,623,112

HAND TOOL FOR APPLYING AND REMOVING NUTS Filed Jan. 22. 1970 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR RUSSELL D. HALL ATTORNEYS United States Patent O U.s. *ci 7-1 G s Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A hand tool for use in confined spaces to apply and remove nuts which are locked on a mating threaded member by a locking element having a bendable locking piojection thereon, the tool including an elongate actuating member having wrench means on one end portion thereof and angularly disposed abutment surfaces on the opposite end thereof, and a lever member having one end portion pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of the actuating member, the other end portion of the lever member having an angularly extending flange terminating in a relatively sharp edge adapted to engage and lift the tab of the locking element upon angular movement of the tool.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to hand tools and, more particularly, to an improved hand tool particularly adapted for use in confined spaces to apply and remove female threaded members which are locked on a mating male threaded member through the agency of a locking element having a bendable locking projection or tab thereon.

Heretofore lock washers having bendable, outwardly projecting tabs thereon have been utilized to lock female threaded members, such as conventional nuts, in mating threaded relationship on a mating male threaded member by placing the lock washer over the female threaded member and bending selected lock Washer projections or tabs downwardly into one or more of a plurality of radially extending, angularly spaced grooves provided in a body adjacent the female threaded member so as to pre vent turning of the female threaded member on the male threaded member after the female threaded member has been tightened thereon. Frequently in devices in which lock washers of the aforementioned character are utilized, the male threaded member is located in a confined space and difficulties have been encountered in bending the nlock Washer tabs or projections in place to lock the female threaded member on the mating threaded member and in unbending or straightening the tabs to permit removal of the female threaded member from the male threaded member for repair or replacement purposes. By way of example, in many inboard and/or outboard marine installations the hubs of the propellers are retained on the output drive shaft of the engine through the agency of a nut which threadably engages the output drive shaft within the confines of an encompassing shroud, which functions as a diffuser ring, the nut being locked in place through the agency of a lock washer defining a centrally disposed hexagonal opening adapted to fit the periphery of the nut closely and being provided with a plurality of radially projecting tabs selected ones of which are bent downwardly into a series of radially disposed, angularly spaced grooves provided in an adjacent washer splined to the drive shaft and bearing against the adjacent end of the propellor hub. The tabs on the lock washer function to retain the nut securely in place on the drive shaft and prevent rotation of the nut relative to the drive shaft. With such a construction wherein the threaded assembly is located within a confined space defined by a shroud,

3,623,172 Patented Nov. 30, 1971 ICC difficulties have been encountered when efforts are made to remove the nut since the tabs of the lock washer must first be unbent or straightened and removed from the associated locking groove before the nut can be unscrewed from the drive shaft. Heretofore, the usual practice has been to pry the locking tabs upwardly out of the associated locking grooves with a screwdriver that is fulcrumed against the adjacent shroud and considerable damage is often done to the shroud Vwhich is often made of aluminum or other material that is not designed or intended to withstand the forces exerted thereon when the shroud is utilized as a fulcrurn. Moreover because of the confined working space, difficulties are also encountered in bending the locking tabs in place after the nut has been reassembled on the drive shaft and damage often rults from the use of a tab bending tool such as a screwdriver -which may slip off of the tabs of the lock washer during the operation of bending the tabs into an associated locking groove. In addition different tools are normally required to bend or unbend the locking tabs and to apply or remove the nut from the drive shaft.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved hand tool which facilitates the application and removal of female threaded members which are locked in place on a male threaded member through the agency of a lock washer having a bandable locking projection thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved tool that may be used efliciently in confined spaces to bend and unbend the locking tabs of lock washers.

Another object of the invention is to provide an im` proved hand tool of the indicated character that is simple in construction, economical and commercially feasible to manufacture and assemble, durable, efficient and reliable in operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved hand tool of the indicated character which minimizes the efforts required to apply and release the locking tabs of lock Washers located in confined spaces.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved hand tool of the indicated character which reduces the effort required to apply and release a locking tab on a lock washer through a novel arrangement providing a mechanical advantage for the user of such tools.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel hand tool of the above-described character which may be utilized in confined spaces to apply and remove nuts from a mating threaded member and also utilized to apply and release the locking tabs of lock washers incorporated in the threaded assembly.

The above as well as other objects and advantage of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the invention, showing the same as applied to a locked marine propellor hub and drive shaft assembly during one step in the operation of unlocking the assembly;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1, showing the same during application or removal of the nut from the drive shaft of the assembly;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the structure illustrated in FIG. l, showing the same during the step of bending a locking tab of the lock washer into an associated locking groove provided in the assembly;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1,'showing the same after the locking tab has been removed from the locking groove by the tool embodying the present invention;

FIG. is a top view, with portions broken away, of the structure illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a partial and enlarged sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 2, taken on the line VI-VI thereof;

:FIG 7 is a sectional View of the structure illustrated in FIG. 5, taken on the line VII-VII thereof;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, elevational view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the structure illustrated in FdG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, elevational view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 10; and

FIG. l2 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 10, taken on the line XII-)GII thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings one embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7 thereof comprised of a hand tool, generally designated 20, which is particularly adapted for use in applying and removing mating threaded members which are Iadapted to be locked in mating threaded relationship through the agency of a locking element having bendable looking tabs or projections thereon. The tool 20 has particular utility when the mating threaded members are locked together in assembled relationship in confined spaces, although it will be understood that tools embodying the present invention are applicable to other uses.

As shown in FlIGS. 1 through 7, the hand tool 20 is comprised of an elongate actuating member, generally designated 22, which is preferably formed of steel or other suitable material having sufficient strength to withstand the forces exerted thereon. The actuating member 22 includes an elongate, substantially straight shank portion 24 and a wrench or head portion 26 defining a hexagonal opening 28 adapted to fit the periphery of a conventional hexagonal nut in wrenching relationship. It will be understood that, `if desired, the head portion 26 may define other openings of different noncircular configuration or the head portion 26 may be readily adapted to receive socket wrenches of various sizes and configurations. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the head portion 26 is offset from the plane of the shank portion 24 .and joined thereto by an integral slanting neck portion 30. However, if desired, the head portion 26 may be disposed in the same plane as the shank portion 24. As shown in PIG. 6, the end portion 31 of the shank portion 24 remote from the head portion 26 is provided with a generally V-shaped notch 32 providing abutment surfaces 34 and 36 which are adapted to fit one corner on the periphery of a hexagonal nut and which facilitate the use of the tool 20 as will be described hereinafter in greater detail. The maximum transverse dimension of the end portion 31 is preferably slightly less than the maximum transverse dimension of the bendable tabs of the locking element that the end portion 31 may be utilized to bend the tabs into an associated locking groove.

The tool 20 also includes a lever member 38 which is also preferably made of steel or other suitable material having sufficient strength to withstand the forces exerted thereon and one end portion of which is pivotally connected to the shank portion 24 of the actuating member. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. l through 7, the end portion of the lever member 38 which is pivotally connected to the actuating member is provided with an integral flange 40 that is offset from the plane of the central portion 42 of the lever member and joined thereto by a tapered portion 44, the ange portion 40 being adapted to be removably received through an aperture 46 provided in the shank portion 24 of the actuating member 22 whereby the liange portion 40 releasably pivotally connects the lever member 38 to the shank portion 24 of the actuating member22. The other end of the lever 38 is provided with an integral, angularly extending flange 46 which is integrally joined to the central portion 42 of the lever by a tapered bight portion 48, the flange 46 terminating in a sharp blade-like edge 50. The maximum transverse dimension of the flange 46 is slightly less than the maximum transverse dimension of the bendable tab on a looking washer so that the edge 50v may be inserted under the tab when it is disposed in a locking groove as will be described hereinafter in greater detail.

lIn 1 through 5, the tool 20 is illustrated as applied to a typical propellor hub assembly generally designated `52 of a ymarine engine. 'Ihe propellor hub assembly 52 includes an externally threaded drive shaft 54, a propellor hub 56 which has a splined connection with the lshaft 54, and an internally threaded nut 58 which threadably engages the drive shaft 54 to .secure the propellor hub 56 to the drive shaft, the nut 58 being looked in place by a conventional, generally dish shaped lock Washer 60 which is fitted over the nut and which is provided with integral bendable tab portions 62 each adapted to be bent into one of a plurality of radially disposed, angularly spaced grooves 64 provided in the end of a splined washer 65 splined to the shaft 54 and bearing against the propellor hub 56. With such a construction, the tabs 62 prevent rotation of the nut 58 relative to the drive shaft after the nut has been tightened thereon thereby looking the nut on the drive shaft. The abovedescribed assembly is of conventional construction and is encompassed by a shroud 66 which functions as a diffuser ring and which is conventionally formed of aluminum. The shroud 66 spaoedly surrounds the assembly 52 so that the space defined by the shroud in which the assembly 52 is located is relatively limited.

The tool 20 facilitates the application and removal of the nut 58 and lock washer 60 from the drive shaft 54 from within the confines of the shroud 66. llt will be appreciated that after the nut 58 `and washer 60 have been assembled onto the drive shaft `'54 in the manner previously described, it is necessary to unbend or straighten the tab portions 62 of the lock washer so that the tab portions are disposed in a plane substantially normal to the axis of rotation of the nut and adjacent the end surface 468 of the splined washer 65 after which the nut 5'8 may be unscrewed from the drive shaft 54 in the conventional manner.

As shown in FIG. l, the tab portions 62 of the lock washer 60 may be unbent or straightened by inserting the edge 50 of the flange 46 of the lever 38 under a tab 62 while simultaneously fulcruming the abutment surfaces 34 and 36 provided on the end ofthe shank portion 24 of the actuating member 22 against the corner of the nut 58 While the adjacent end of the shank portion bears against the adjacent surface of the lock Washer, and thereafter applying clockwise manual force to the wrench end portion 26 of the tool, as viewed in FIG. 1, so as to pry the tab 62 out of the associated groove 64 and straighten the tab to the position illustrated in FIG. 4.

After the tabs 62 have been straightened so` that they are disposed in a plane substantially normal to the axis of rotation of the nut S8, the nut may be readily unscrewed from the drive shaft 54 by applying the wrench end portion 26 of the tool 20 to the nut in |a conventional manner and applying torque to the nut so as to remove the nut from the drive shaft.

When it is desired to reassemble and lock the nut 58 on the drive shaft 54, the nut is threaded onto the drive shaft through the agency of the wrench end portion 26 of the tool 20 after which selected tabs 62 on the lock washer 60 may be bent into an associated groove 64 by hooking the flange portion 46 of the lever 38 under the edge of the splined washer 65 as illustrated in FIG. 3 and bending the tab 62 downwardly into a groove 64 by applying a generally downwardly directed force to the wrench end 26 of the tool whereby the entire tool pivots about the line of engagement of the flange 46 with the washer 65 as shown in FIG. 3.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, this embodiment of the invention being comprised of a tool, generally designated 120, having substantially the same conguration as the tool 20 previously described. However in this embodiment of the invention, the lever 138 (which corresponds with the lever 38 previously described) is provided with a pair of spaced, substantially parallel, integral bearing portions 170 and 172 which are disposed on opposite sides of the shank portion 124 of the actuating member 122 (which corresponds with the actuating member 22 previously described), the bearing portions 170 and 172 and the shank portion 124 being provided with aligned apertures 174, 176 and 178 adapted to receive a pivot pin 180 which functions to pivotally connect the lever member 138 to the shank portion 124 of the actuating member 122. In all other respects, the tool 120 is constructed in the same manner as the tool 20 previously described.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 10, ll and l2, this embodiment of the invention also being substantially the same as the tool 20 previously described. However, in this embodiment of the invention the end of the lever member 238 (which corresponds with the lever 38 previously described) adjacent the actuating member 222 (corresponding with the actuating member 22) is provided with a return bent eye portion 282 which encompasses an integral axle portion 284 formed on the actuating member 222 by punching openings 286 and 288 in the shank portion 224 of the actuating member on opposite sides of the axle portion 284. Such a construction serves to pivotally connect the lever member 238 to the shank portion 224 of the actuating member 222. In all other respects the tool is the same as the tool 20 previously described. From the foregoing it will be apparent that other forms of pivotal connections may be provided between the lever member and the actuating member.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will -be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a hand tool, the combination including an elongate actuating member having wrench means on one end portion thereof and angularly disposed abutment surfaces on the opposite end portion thereof, and an elongate lever member having one end portion thereof pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of said actuating member, the other end portion of said lever member being tapered and having an angularly extending ange projecting outwardly therefrom and terminating at a relatively sharp edge extending rearwardly toward said actuating member.

2. A hand tool for use in applying and removing nuts which are locked on a mating threaded member by a locking element having a bendable locking projection thereon, said tool comprising, in combination, an elongate actuating member having wrench means on one end portion thereof and angularly disposed abutment surfaces on the opposite end thereof, and an elongate lever member `having one end portion thereof pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of said actuating member, the other end portion of said lever member being tapered and having an angularly extending flange projecting outwardly and toward said actuating member and being adapted to engage and lift said bendable locking projection upon angular movement of said tool.

3. In a hand tool, the combination including an elongate actuating member having a substantially straight shank portion and a wrench portion, the end of said shank portion remote from said wrench portion defining a generally V-shaped notch providing angularly disposed abutment surfaces, and an elongate lever member, one end portion of said lever member being pivotally connected to said shank portion of said actuating member, the other end of said lever member being tapered and provided with an integral, angularly disposed flange portion terminating in a relatively sharp edge extending rearwardly toward said actuating member.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein the maximum transverse dimension of said ange portion is less than the maximum transverse dimension of said shank portion.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said lever member includes a pair of spaced substantially parallel bearing portions, and pin means pivotally connecting said bearing portions to said shank portion of said actuating member.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein one end portion of said lever member encompasses an integral transversely extending section of said shank portion of said actuating member.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said wrench portion is offset from the plane of said shank portion of said actuating member and integrally joined thereto by a neck portion.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said shank portion delines an opening intermediate the ends thereof, and said one end of said lever member includes an offset portion insertable through the opening defined by said shank portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 357,644 2/1887 Tucker 7--1 G 1,519,982 12/1924 Pasdera 254-77 FOREIGN PATENTS 555,424 3/ 1923 France 254-77 ROBERT C. RIORDON, Primary Examiner R. V. PARKER, J R., Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 81--10 

